insufficient manpower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insufficient manpower" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which there is not enough workers to complete a task or project. For example: "We were unable to complete the project on time due to insufficient manpower."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

When the Defense Department has insufficient manpower to protect the country, the solution is universal military training.

The New York Times

They had insufficient manpower to do it.

Forbes

The construction industry in Hong Kong has been exposed to serious housing production issues such as insufficient manpower, safety, environmental concerns and inefficient housing supply.

Journal of Cleaner Production

The investigation has become a casualty of underfunding and insufficient manpower.

Huffington Post

This was later attributed to insufficient manpower: the unavailability of the 105th Infantry Brigade or the 73rd Independent (Garešnica) Battalion, which were deployed in Pakrac.

Wikipedia

In its aftermath the Serbs had insufficient manpower to defend their lands, while the Turks had many more troops in the east.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Increasing workload may derive from the insufficient physician manpower and long duty hours.

BMC Medical Education

Insufficient nurse manpower Centralized recruitment results in deployment of workers to localities where they are not conversant with local languages or customs.

Global health, science and practice

In both wars, however, enthusiasm proved insufficient to sustain the necessary manpower supply, and both Britain and America would, for the first time, introduce conscription.

The New Yorker

Moreover, two studies regarding the village doctors' perspectives on public health in two counties each in Hubei and Jiangxi provinces [ 37] and a county in Jiangsu province [ 38] indicated that they considered public health services too heavy for their manpower, the subsidy insufficient and social security absent.

BMC Health Services Research

This practice does not only derive from Japanese culture and tradition [ 37, 44], but also from premature social infrastructures such as insufficient support by paramedical staff, and a lack of manpower and facilities in Japan's healthcare industry [ 2].

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficient manpower", clearly specify the task or area affected by the shortage to provide context and impact.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "insufficient manpower" without explaining the reasons behind it (e.g., budget cuts, high turnover). Provide specific details to strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient manpower" functions as a descriptor, typically modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate a deficiency in the number of available workers. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correctly used in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

45%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "insufficient manpower" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a situation where there are not enough workers available. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct. While adaptable across various contexts, it's prevalent in news, scientific, and formal communications. Alternatives like "shortage of personnel" or "inadequate staffing levels" offer similar meanings. When employing this term, ensure to specify the affected task or area and the reasons behind the manpower shortage for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient staffing

Synonymous, focusing specifically on staffing.

shortage of personnel

Focuses on the lack of personnel available.

lack of workforce

Highlights the absence of an adequate workforce.

lack of adequate personnel

Similar to "insufficient manpower", but emphasizes personnel.

inadequate staffing levels

Emphasizes that the current staffing is below the required level.

limited human resources

Indicates a restriction in the available human resources.

understaffing

A more concise term for not having enough staff.

deficient number of employees

Formally states that the employee count is not enough.

workforce deficit

Directly points out the deficit in the workforce.

limited staff availability

Highlights the restriction in available staff.

FAQs

What does "insufficient manpower" mean?

The term "insufficient manpower" refers to a situation where there are not enough personnel or workers available to adequately complete a task, project, or operate a service.

How can I use "insufficient manpower" in a sentence?

You can use "insufficient manpower" to describe a situation, such as: "The project was delayed due to "shortage of personnel"" or "Inadequate staffing levels led to longer wait times for customers."

What are some alternatives to saying "insufficient manpower"?

Some alternatives include "shortage of personnel", "lack of workforce", or "inadequate staffing levels", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "insufficient manpower" or "insufficient staffing"?

Both "insufficient manpower" and "insufficient staffing" are acceptable. "Insufficient staffing" may be preferred in some contexts as it is slightly more inclusive.